J May Photo bio picture

  • Hi there! I’m Jen Mabray, a wedding photographer based in Dallas, Texas.

    Sounds cheesy, but I love going to work! I'm a dreamer at heart with a spiteful vein of creativity I can't ignore. Photography fulfills my creative needs. Yes... I need to be creative - almost as much as I need food. Life is magical and photography captures those moments. Yea, yea... can ya tell I am sappy, too? ;) I totally fit the cliche 'sappy movie watcher' with a box of tissues next to me. Actually... I just use my husbands shirt sleeve!

    My wonderful husband and best friend, Todd, and I have been married for 11 years. I simply adore him, our sweet kiddos, and my Savior and His infinite love. A few of my passions include... playing the piano, design, the color orange - burnt orange that is, strategic board games, good food and my good friends.

    For more information on my photography services, contact me through my website or email me at jen@jmayphoto.com.

Ebony :: Senior Pics

Thursday, February 2, 2012 Posted in Seniors

Okay, if I were 17 again… I would:

  • Learn how to do my hair like Ebony.
  • Ask Ebony to take me shopping.
  • Have Ebony teach me how to do my make-up.
  • And… probably stock her to learn her pose and glam.
  • Oh… and I would find me – the real Jen Mabray who is now 30 – something and have her take my senior pics!

Okay, not really to most of those things.;) When I was 17, I am not sure I knew really anything about how to present myself and never had senior pictures done.  Well, that’s kind of a lie.  I did have a senior picture done – at the school.  You remember those days.  Haha!  Ebony – you are perfect – in every way!  I loved taking your pics:) Hope you enjoy them forever – cause that’s what photography will do.  Preserve memories forever.  Hope the rest of your senior year is incredibly memorable!  Stay radiant and true to yourself!  Enjoy~ Jen

This tree behind Ebony is probably one of the scrappiest trees in the square, but for some reason it looks awesome in pictures!  I use my 70-200 usually around 180mm and allow the sun to peak through the top left of my lens.  The tree turns into beautiful creamy color and my subject is illuminated perfectly!
The wind blew and Ebony held down her skirt… it made for a perfect shot with her facial expression!:)
We found this old Dr. Pepper machine – it was so cool!  By this time of night, the sun was going down and I needed some lighting.  Instead of dragging my lighting equipment out, I pushed my ISO high enough that I knew I would see grain.  In post processing I added a vintage color to the pics. I wanted the picture to have an aged look to it just like the Dr. Pepper machine.

by Jen

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J May Photo :: The Knot Best of Weddings 2012! :: Again :)

Monday, January 30, 2012 Posted in Anytime, Weddings

“We are proud to announce that J May Photo has been rated by local brides and voted The Knot Best of Weddings 2012 Pick.”

by Jen

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I’m still laughing!

Monday, January 30, 2012 Posted in Uncategorized

I can’t wait to make fun of the first person I see wearing one of these! Haha! I know, I know… they’re really warm! But… it looks hilarious! Hey?? What are the women supposed to wear??;) Happy Monday everyone!

by Jen

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Leslie & Travis :: Post wedding session in my favorite field…

Tuesday, January 24, 2012 Posted in Weddings

Okay seriously!  Can you feel the love with these two?  Just see for yourself:) After the wedding, their limo driver followed me off road to a little field I love to use.  The position of the trees, the early evening light – it’s always perfect.  I used my 70-200 2.8 for most of the shots.  Leslie loved on Travis and Travis loved on her right back.  Too easy! Leslie you are radiant and Travis… you are quite the gentleman.  Thank you again for allowing me to be a part of your day!  Enjoy ~ Jen

A friend of mine has an old truck on his property.  It doesn’t even have an engine in it.  He pulled out his tractor and hulled the truck into the perfect position for the light.  So dreamy!  If you position your camera at your subject, meter for the light and then allow the sun to come into the lens hood at one of the corners, you will get a dreamy flare on your image.  The image below has enough flare to see the geometrics the sun produces.
No sun flare.
Lots of flare!:)
Some flare:)
Enjoy!

by Jen

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Leslie & Travis :: Married at Ashton Gardens :: Part 1

Tuesday, January 24, 2012 Posted in Weddings

Leslie and Travis were married at Ashton Gardens on a beautiful fall day!  Their wedding was a beautiful romantic success:)

Leslie and Travis decided to have a first look.  Leslie told Travis when he could turn around.
As soon as he turned around both of them got a little choked and then said, “Are you going to cry?” “Nope”, was the response.  ”Are you going to cry?” “Nope”, came the second response.  And then I checked myself, “Jen… are you going to cry?” “Nope, well… maybe a little”. But I didn’t tell anyone;) I have the huge camera that covers my face and my emotions stay quite hidden if I want them to;) Needless to say, I’m quite sappy and still I get choked up at special moments during a wedding.
The beautiful Ashton Gardens chapel.
Love love love my 70-200 lens.  I was sitting in a corner and was able to get this close. I swoon over the body language of just their hands!
Dad took a moment after the wedding to tell his daughter he loved her.
Leslie’s mom and her sisters were too funny during the reception.  I found them all together in various places in the reception hall doing things like this!  Haha!  My brothers and sisters and I used to do this when we were kids.  It was so funny to see it again!!
I have a part 2 to Leslie and Travis.  I had to split everything up because they had so many beautiful shots!  We went from the wedding reception to do a session of Leslie and Travis in a field with an old pick-up truck and pretty light:) Stay tuned!

by Jen

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